Classic Details in an Altered Package
Knowing that their audience prefers a classic look, the designers for the brand new generation of Porsche 911s made sure that these vehicles are in keeping with that preference. The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera has the same iconic detailing as its predecessors, including oval headlamps, sleek fenders and a fast-looking rear body. The changes are all to make it look sleeker and new.
A New Face
This vehicle's nose has been lowered slightly, producing a more aggressive look, but the LED-based running lights have been kept in their position right above the intakes. The headlights themselves retain a similar shape to the original, but their actual function has grown a lot more complex. The side mirrors are also classically-shaped, but have moved from their original location on the A-pillar to a new mount on the door.
Changes in the Rear
Tail-lights at the rear have been slightly compressed and are smaller overall, but placed with an eye for the classic aesthetic. The large blocks around the license plate in previous models have been removed for a sleeker look, and the older quad exhaust finished have been replaced with two outlets instead of four.
Body Modification
This new Porsche 911 also sits lover overall, with a wheelbase that has been stretched by a relatively small 3.9 inches. That amount isn't very noticeable, but it gives the car an overall lower stance. The addition of a wider front track increases the low width of this vehicle.
It's a little larger in all dimensions, with a length that's only a little greater than the previous generation, the 997. This new body uses a lot more aluminum than previous cars, however, producing a vehicle that weigh 100 pounds less than its predecessor. Due to a wider rear spoiler with variable extension, the car has almost no front or rear lift.
Cabin Changes
Inside, the car shows signs of the GT-like design that has been common in new Porsche vehicles since the debut of the Panamera. It has a sloped center tunnel that pushes the shifter close to the steering wheel, but with a simpler execution than in the Cayenne or Panamera, with just a few buttons to keep track of.
The instrument cluster retains the traditional five-pod layout, with the large tachometer placed in the center and a color multifunction display located just to its right. The car retains its 2+2 seating layout, but the extra space between the vehicle's wheels doesn't make the tiny rear seats any roomier. This is effectively a two-passenger car.
Internal Changes
The Porsche 911 includes a number of changes to the engine and other working parts, including the addition of an electro-mechanical power steering system. Many consumers are nervous about this addition, since BMW's recent change to fully electric steering resulted in performance problems that could transfer to the new 911. To allay fears, Porsche notes that this setup has been made for the 911 alone and that the company considers the steering the most important part of this car.
The Engine
The basic Carrera features a new engine, which has actually been shrunk by 0.2 liters from its previous iteration. This 3.4 liter flat-six engine actually produces 5 more horsepower than the 3.6 that preceded it, totaling 350 horsepower. The Carrera S version has a 3.8 liter engine that produces 400 horsepower total. According to Porsche, the basic 911 can reach 60 miles per hour in less than 4 1/2 seconds, while the Carrera S takes only a little over 4 seconds. In the basic model, the maximum speed is 179 miles per hour, versus 188 mph in the Carrera S.
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